More than 100 report stolen phones at Brazil music show

By

Renzo Pipoli

Over 100 people lost their phones to pickpockets during an event early on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. The police recovered 84 cells phones and captured 11 members of an international pickpocket group. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Nov. 20 (UPI) -- More than 100 people who went to an indoor music event in Rio de Janeiro that extended into early Tuesday reported their cell phones were stolen during the show.

The event, titled "Stay with Me," was attended by hundreds packed to enjoy Brazilian folk music. Many of these attendees fell victim to an international band of pickpocketers who stole "their cells and other belongings," O Globo reported.

The police managed to detain 11 people, all members of the group, including five women. Two women led the group, the O Globo report said.

A total of 84 cells were recovered after the thieves left them on the floor or sides of the place to avoid being caught with stolen property, after the music was interrupted for controls.

The cell phones were recovered after several people had complained about losing belongings and police were called.

At 1:30 a.m., the organizers interrupted the event to apologize to attendees. Organizers said then that security agents were going to check through all people, reported Brenda Ianov, 26, who lost her cellphone and could not recover the device.

Another person named Thayse Braghin, 30, told O Globo that initially organizers did not pay attention to complaints until one girl was caught with 14 cells.